JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 361"
COURSE NAME: "Globalization and Democracy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Nicholas James Startin
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
“Globalization” is perhaps the keyword of our time. It signifies a multifaceted development that also has major implications for world politics and democratic nation-states. From a theoretical, normative and empirical perspective, the course examines the complex relationship between globalization and democracy. Does globalization help generate democracy, and if so, under what conditions? What are the causal mechanisms shaping the relationship between globalization and democracy? How can democratic institutions, claims, rules and rights be preserved or renewed in a “partially globalized world” (Robert Keohane)? The course will explore these questions and related controversies by turning to leading contemporary scholars of international relations and international relations theory. Special attention will be paid to institutions and agents of political globalization as well as factors engendering or undermining democratization on the national and global level. 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This is an upper-level course focusing on the relationship between globalization and democracy. It looks at the origins and theories of globalization as well as its causes and effects. It analyses the major dimensions of globalization (and related issues) and their impact on democracy. Economic, political, cultural, social, ideological, technological and ecological dimensions are discussed as well as issues such as demography, migration, the internet, health and food scarcity. The role of international institutions in relation to globalization and global governance is also analysed as is the impact of contemporary movements opposed to the globalization process. In short, students will have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge and understanding of the key concept of globalization in a wider political context.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course enables students to investigate the highly salient topic of globalization and its impact on democracy from an empirical and theoretical perspective. Students will gain valuable methodological experience designing a research paper and writing a response to an academic article as well as giving an academic response to their peers.

Students will:

- Understand a range of concepts, theories and approaches to Globalization

- Appreciate the diversity of political perspectives and outlooks on the subject

- Recognize the range and variation of globalization in its various dimensions

- Formulate their own knowledge and understanding of case studies related to globalization

- Advance their critical thinking competences in relation to the normative challenges posed by globalization in the contemporary political order

- Develop their methodological competences and research skills in Political Science and International Affairs

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (Sixth Edition)Manfred StegerOxford University Press 978-0-19-288619-4 Available Either Book or Hard CopyHard CopyAlmost Corner Bookshop 
The Routledge International Handbook of Globalization Studies (Second Edition)Turner, B & Holton R (eds.)RoutledgeTBA  Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
1 In class presentationStudents are required to give an individual presentation on one of the dimensions of globalization discussed and its impact on the democratic order. It must draw on key examples as evidence. A draft presentation must be submitted to the instructor before presenting in class. The presentations will take place in weeks 5 & 6 of the course.25%
2 A Book reflection commentary/reviewThis assignment consists of a written reflection of 2000 words on a book related to the course. Students respond to the issues, arguments and evidence laid out in the chosen book, taking a position and developing an argument. This assignment must be completed by the end of week 9 of the course. The chosen book must be agreed with the instructor by the end of week 6.20%
3 Research PaperStudents are required to submit an original paper of 3000-3500 words examining one of the issues developed in the course. The paper must develop argument and use concrete evidence to support it. The initial topic (which must be agreed with the instructor) and bibliography must be submitted by the end of week 10 of the course and the assignment completed by the end of the final exam week. Students are expected to present their paper (no more than 10 minutes) in the final exam week.35%
4 Class participation and attendanceRegular attendance and active participation in class is required. Students will not be penalized for three absences during the semester. If further absences are recorded grade penalties will be applied.20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Part 1: Defining, understanding and theorizing globalization

Week 1: Introduction to the course

Week 2: What is globalization?

Week 3: The history of globalization

Week 4: Theories of globalization

Part 2: The Dimensions of Globalization and the relationship to Democracy

Week 5: The economic dimension

Week 6: The political dimension

Week 7: The cultural dimension

Week 8: The ecological dimension

Part 3: Confrontations over globalization and the dividing fault-lines 

Week 9: Ideological confrontations over globalization

Week 10: Migration and the demographic revolution

Week 11: The globalization of crime & religion

Week 12: Health, pandemics and globalization

Week 13: The media, the internet and globalization

Week 14: The future of globalisation and democracy

In week 15 students will present their research paper

There are two key text books for this course and there will also be reserved reading for each week of the course.